Barabbas
The prisoner the crowd chose to free instead of Jesus.
New Testament · c. AD 30 · Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts · Also known as A notable prisoner
About Barabbas
At Passover the Roman governor released a prisoner chosen by the people. "They had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas," who "lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection." Pilate asked, "Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?" "The chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus." The crowd cried, "Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." "Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified."
Barabbas has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about him. His name means "son of the father" (bar abba). Some early manuscripts of Matthew call him "Jesus Barabbas," which would make Pilate’s question a choice between two men named Jesus.
The story
A notable prisoner
"Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection." John says simply, "Now Barabbas was a robber."
Mark 15:6-7; John 18:40
Barabbas, or Jesus?
Pilate asked, "Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for envy they had delivered him." "But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus." "They said, Barabbas."
Matthew 27:17-21
Then released he Barabbas
"And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas." "Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified." Peter later told the crowds in Jerusalem, "ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you."
Luke 23:18; Matthew 27:26; Acts 3:14
Key moments
- Imprisoned: For insurrection and murder. (Mark 15:7)
- Offered by Pilate: "Barabbas, or Jesus?" (Matthew 27:17)
- Chosen by the crowd: "Release unto us Barabbas." (Luke 23:18)
- Released: Jesus is crucified. (Matthew 27:26)
Questions about Barabbas
Who was Barabbas?
A "notable prisoner," held with rebels "that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection." John calls him "a robber," a word also used for violent rebels against Rome. He may have been a popular figure with the crowd, a freedom fighter in their eyes.
Why did the crowd choose Barabbas?
Matthew says, "the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus." Pilate himself "knew that for envy they had delivered him." A rebel against Rome may have been more appealing to the crowd than a Messiah who told them to love their enemies.
What does Barabbas’ release picture?
Christians have long seen in it a picture of the gospel: the guilty man walks free while the innocent one dies in his place. Peter wrote, "Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." Barabbas’ name, "son of the father," makes the picture sharper still.
Connected people
- Jesus: Condemned in his place
- Pontius Pilate: Released him
- Caiaphas: The priests urged his release
Read it yourself
Start with Matthew 27:15-26; Mark 15:6-15.